Featured Artist

"I decided to pursue my dream of becoming a professional artist. This was the hardest time in my life. My family did not agree with me and said… there would be no future for a painter."

"If you do something continuously and with love, it will succeed and bring you benefits.

"I was born in 1968 in East Java near Sarangan Lake, a popular destination for tourists. Both my parents both were civil servants. My childhood was like that of other children in Indonesia. Time was spent playing traditional games with friends, brothers and sisters every single day. I have five brothers and sisters, so my house was a full house.

"I've loved painting since I was a little boy. Many times, my school sent me to participate in painting competitions and I always won. I considered painting only as hobby, so I continued my computer studies to prepare for my future. Computer studies were very popular at that time, but I also continued to paint.

"Just like others, after graduating, I worked in a very famous office as computer data processor. After ten years there, I felt nothing and I didn't find any satisfaction in my life from what I had been doing so far. But I got reassurance when I was painting, so I decided to resign from my job to pursue my dream of becoming a professional artist.

"This was the hardest time in my life. My family did not agree with me and it felt like the whole world was against me. They said I had no future by leaving my job, that there would be no future for a painter. But time proved them wrong.

"I am now a professional painter. I choose watercolor as my specialty. The materials are easy to find and I can do the painting everywhere. I find inspiration in my family, my neighborhood, the scenery around my house or in Yogyakarta city.

"I was the watercolor painters' community leader. Besides painting, I'm often called to be a judge for watercolor competitions. With all I have now, I'm able to be the father of two sons and can meet the needs of my family. I live in Yogyakarta, the city of art. I am now very happy with my life and family."